"A deficit is what you've got when you haven't got as much as if you just had nothing. If we tried any of this, we'd end up in jail, but the government gets rid of its debts by nationalizing them. That's like the alcoholic who solved his problem by pouring the booze in all of his bottles into one big container. Himself." (Charlie Farquharson, edited for spelling)

I've never been to Afghanistan but I could have made that assessment watching TV and doing a crossword. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know Afghanistan won't be ready to govern on its own for some time - if ever.

Logged

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute to patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness -- these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. . . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles."George Washington

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."Benjamin Franklin

I've never been to Afghanistan but I could have made that assessment watching TV and doing a crossword. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know Afghanistan won't be ready to govern on its own for some time - if ever.

It is ready to govern on its own - in the time-honored way Afghans have been governing themselves for millenia. It's just not ready to become another Western democracy any time soon. And that might not be such a bad thing.

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute to patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness -- these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. . . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles."George Washington

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."Benjamin Franklin